Research from our Rehabilitation Research and Training Centers over the past 30 years has contributed to the evidence base and advanced knowledge in behavioral health care and medicine. Each study also includes materials that support translation of our findings into practice, policy, and people's daily lives. 

Self-Directed Career Accounts

This randomized study showed that IPS clients with psychiatric disabilities who also had access to a flexible fund to purchase vocational goods and services worked more hours, made more money, stayed at jobs longer, and had higher financial well-being compared to those receiving IPS alone. The most frequent purchases made from individual budgets were in the areas of technology and communications, professional clothing, and health and wellness. Study results suggest that people with psychiatric disabilities may need additional resources when trying to work that are best provided through a flexible fund.  
Learn more and access a research article. 

Mental Health Self-Directed Care for Uninsured Adults with Mental Illnesses

This randomized controlled trial study found that uninsured adults with mental illnesses who received mental health SDC reported greater improvement in perceived competence, met and unmet needs, autonomy support, recovery from symptom domination, and employment. No differences were found between the two groups in total per-person service costs or costs for individual services. The most frequent nontraditional purchases were for medical, dental, and vision services (33%) and health and wellness supports (33%). Satisfaction with SDC services was high. 
Learn more and access the research article. 
Explore our online SDC Policy Toolkit.
Access our Self-Directed Care Manual, a podcast, and a how-to webinar.  

Evaluation of Factors Associated with 30-Day Readmission Following Medical Hospitalization

Our evaluation is the largest and only multistate study to date of exclusively working age Medicaid beneficiaries. Our results suggest that working-age Medicaid beneficiaries with serious mental illnesses were more likely than those without mental illnesses to experience unplanned 30-day readmissions, and that the odds of readmission were highest for those with schizophrenia, followed by bipolar disorder, and then major depressive disorder. In a related study, we determined that mental health services after discharge may be protective against readmission following medical hospitalization for adults with mental illnesses. 
Access the article about factors associated with readmission.
Access the article about mental health services as protective against readmission. 

Whole Health Action Management

This randomized controlled trial study demonstrated that WHAM improved patient activation, perceived general medical health, hopefulness, and likelihood of paid employment among people with mental illnesses and co-occurring medical conditions.
​Learn more and access a peer-reviewed research article.
Access WHAM facilitator training.

Promoting Self-Determination through Self-Directed Care in Texas

This randomized controlled trial study demonstrated that participants who received mental health SDC were more likely to work, to be taking classes, and to have lower somatic symptom distress than controls. They also had greater coping mastery, higher self-esteem, and higher self-perceived recovery, as well as greater ability to ask for help, to use social support, and to pursue recovery goals. They also were more likely than controls to perceive their service delivery system as client-driven. 
Learn more and access a peer-reviewed research article. 
Explore our online SDC Policy Toolkit.
Access our Self-Directed Care Manual, a podcast, and a how-to webinar.  

Health Screening of Medical Co-Morbidities among Adults in Mental Health Recovery

Our health screening study contributes to the knowledge base about the prevalence of medical co-morbidities among people who use public mental health services. As a result of attending our health fairs, participants also experienced significant increases in self-rated abilities for health practices, personal competence for health maintenance, and health locus of control.  
​Learn more and access peer-reviewed research articles.
Access our health fair manual, a podcast, and a how-to webinar. 

An Electronic Decision Support System for Smoking Cessation 

Results from this randomized controlled trial study suggest that a web-based intervention that applies a personalized health checklist has the potential to increase motivation to quit smoking at a lower cost than standard motivational procedures. 
​Learn more and access peer-reviewed research articles.
Access a smoking cessation medication decision tool.

Asset Accumulation through Individual Development Accounts

This evaluation demonstrated that savers with mental illnesses can develop assets and reach their financial goals when receiving integrated financial education and clinical support.  
Learn more and access a peer-reviewed research article. 
​Find financial education resources.

Nutrition and Exercise for Wellness and Recovery ​(NEW-R) 

This randomized controlled trial study found that NEW-R participants improved in perceived competence for exercise and healthy eating, along with certain healthy lifestyle behaviors. When used in supportive settings, NEW-R may also help to initiate weight loss.
​A separate pilot study found that NEW-R participants lost an average of 3 pounds at immediate post-intervention, and lost an average of 10 pounds at the 6-month follow-up. Participants also demonstrated significant increases in their knowledge about nutrition and physical activity.​ 
Learn more and access the research articles.
Access the NEW-R manuals, a podcast, and a how-to webinar. 

Building Financial Wellness

This study found that participants who received financial education coupled with positive psychology techniques had greater improvement over time in financial well-being, capability, economic strain, self-sufficiency, and financial literacy. Satisfaction with the intervention was high. Reports from participants receiving intervention booster sessions indicated that ongoing support facilitated their achievement of longer-term financial goals.
Access a peer-reviewed research article.
Access the course curriculum, a podcast, and a how-to webinar. 

Peer-delivered IPS supported employment, complemented with health promotion services

This study found that IPS, coupled with health promotion services, may enhance the competitive employment outcomes of people served by mental health peer-run programs. Training peer specialists to deliver IPS also might help address the national shortage of IPS services. 
Access a peer-reviewed research article.
Download the workplace health promotion guide developed for this study.
Learn more about the varied roles for peer specialists in IPS programs

A Diabetes Registry in a Medical Health Home for People with Mental Illnesses 

This study found that a diabetes registry led to significant improvements over time in A1C, total cholesterol, triglycerides, triglyceride/HDL ratio, and blood pressure among patients of two Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) serving adults with serious mental illnesses.
Learn more and access a peer-reviewed research article.
Access a Diabetes Education Toolkit, a podcast, and a how-to webinar. 
Download our free diabetes registry you can start using today!

Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP)

This randomized controlled trial study demonstrated that WRAP reduces psychiatric symptoms, enhances recovery and self-advocacy skills, and increases hopefulness and quality of life. 
​Learn more and access peer-reviewed research articles.
Access WRAP and WRAP facilitator training.
Read about the outcomes of our WRAP for Healthy Aging project.

Building Recovery of Individual Dreams and Goals through Education and Support (BRIDGES) 

​This randomized controlled trial study demonstrated that BRIDGES increases empowerment, self-esteem, self-advocacy, and assertiveness. 
Learn more and access peer-reviewed research articles.
Learn more about BRIDGES. 

Advance Crisis Management Program for Inpatient Facilities

In an evaluation, the Advance Crisis Management program was associated with decreased utilization of mechanical restraint in a university medical center's psychiatric inpatient units, without increases in patient or staff injuries. 
Learn more and access a peer-reviewed research article.
​Download the Advance Crisis Management Manual. 

The Mental Health & Rehabilitation Needs of Recipients of Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) in Illinois

This study found a high prevalence of current and lifetime mental health and substance abuse disorders among women receiving TANF. Most recipients who were found to have mental health disorders were not receiving needed mental health services. 
​Learn more and access a peer-reviewed research article.

Assessing Cultural Competency in Peer-Run Mental Health Programs

This project developed and evaluated the impact of a cultural competency assessment in 9 peer-run programs in the U.S. Results suggested that peer-run programs benefit from assessing their cultural competency, and implementing program-specific strategies to improve their ability to engage people from across diverse groups. 
Learn more and access a peer-reviewed research article. 
Access our Assessment, a podcast, and a how-to webinar.